Lamp

ABSTRACT

A lamp ( 10 ) is disclosed with a single or double-sided socket, whereby a bulb element ( 11 ) is arranged on the at least one socket ( 12 ), which surrounds a volume of space ( 14 ) and said lamp is provided with at least one LED element ( 13 ). An irradiation of the LED light into the bulb element occurs and, as a result of reflection, in particular total reflection, on the defining surfaces ( 16,17 ) of the bulb element a transmission of the LED light within the bulb element occurs.

This is a U.S. national stage of International Application No.PCT/DE03/00007, filed on 3 Jan. 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lamp, which has a base at one or two ends andcomprises a bulb element, which is arranged on the at least one base andessentially envelops a physical volume. The lamp has at least oneassociated LED element (light-emitting diode).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such a lamp is disclosed in DE 198 29 270 A1. The lamp as describedthere comprises at least two lamp elements having a different colortemperature, it being possible to vary the overall color temperature ofthe lamp. One of the lamp elements is in the form of an LED.

When arranging LEDs in a lamp, account must be taken of the fact theLEDs generally emit directed light. A particular arrangement of the LEDelements is required to achieve a homogeneous luminance distribution ofthe LED light emitted by the lamp. The aim is to largely preventresolution in light-source structures for a viewer. Furthermore, in thecase of a lamp having two lamp elements having a different colortemperature, problems associated with shadowing are particularlyprevalent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to provide a lamp having at least one LEDelement such that homogeneous luminance distribution of the LED lightemitted by the lamp is achieved.

This and other objects are attained in accordance with one aspect of theinvention directed to a lamp having a base at one or two ends. A bulbelement which essentially envelops a physical volume is arranged on thebase, and the lamp has at least one associated LED element,characterized in the LED light is irradiated into the bulb element, and,owing to reflection, in particular total reflection, at the limit facesof the bulb element, the LED light is passed on within the bulb element.

A feature in one embodiment of the invention involves injecting lightemitted by one or more LED elements directly into the bulb element, andusing the bulb element as a light-guiding and/or light-deflectingelement. It is thus possible for LED light to be supplied largelyuniformly over the entire bulb element or for LED light to flow throughthe entire bulb element. The arrangement and formation of correspondinglimit faces and the use of a correspondingly selected shape for the bulbelement can ensure that the LED light emerges largely uniformly from thebulb element and leaves the lamp in this manner.

According to the invention, resolution in light-source structures can beavoided. In addition, in particular for the case in which a lamp elementof the second type is arranged within the physical volume, an overalllight distribution can be achieved, which is generated jointly by the atleast one LED element and the lamp element of the second type and whichdoes not present any problems associated with shadowing. The LED elementand the lamp element of the second type advantageously generate anidentical luminance distribution.

In an alternative refinement of the invention, a lamp element of thesecond type may, of course, also be arranged outside the physicalvolume. In this refinement, the bulb element is positioned, for example,between two limbs of lamp elements of the second type, which makespossible, for example, even a rotationally symmetrical arrangement, inany case a homogeneous overall light distribution without presenting anyproblems associated with shadowing.

In the case of the lamp according to the invention, it is possible forthe bulb element to have exclusively curved limit faces, i.e. oneshaving largely no edges, which makes possible a predominantly continuouspath for the luminous intensity distribution.

LED light is generally understood to mean the electromagnetic radiationemitted by an LED element in the visible wavelength range. However, inthe sense of the present invention, the term LED light also includesradiation emitted by the LED element in the non-visible wavelengthrange, for example also includes UV radiation.

The formulation which envisages that the bulb element essentiallyenvelops a physical volume naturally also includes exemplary embodimentswhich have openings in the bulb element. For example, these openings maybe ventilation openings which allow a cooling flow of air to passthrough the bulb element. For the case in which such openings in thebulb element are provided, particular further measures can be providedfor passing the LED light on within the bulb element.

The bulb element per se is known and is in common usage in the case oflamps of the prior art. In the prior art, the bulb element principallyserves the purpose, for example, of retaining a specific gas in aphysical volume. On the other hand, fixedly connecting the bulb elementto the at least one base produces an enclosed cavity, in which anotherpressure prevails than that which is outside the lamp. In addition tothis function, it is also already known in the prior art to use a bulbelement as a diffuser.

According to the invention, the bulb element is now also given thefunction of a fiberoptic conductor for the light emitted by the at leastone LED element. This makes it possible to guide the LED luminous fluxin a targeted manner such that virtually all of the outer limit face ofthe bulb element can act as a light exit surface to allow the LED lightto emerge from the bulb element in a largely uniform manner.

The conventional, known functions of the bulb element in the sense of adiffuser or in the sense of a pressure chamber wall or gas chamber wallneed not be dispensed with here but may also be included, if desired.

It is advantageous in this context if, in accordance with a refinementof the invention, the physical volume is completely enclosed jointly bythe bulb element and the at least one base. In this manner, it ispossible for another pressure to prevail within the physical volume thanprevails outside the lamp, and/or for the physical volume to be filledwith a gas.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, the atleast one LED element is arranged in the at least one base of the lamp.This provides a particularly simple way of accommodating the LEDelement.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, two ormore LED elements are arranged in the region of the edge of the base.This also provides a simple way of accommodating the LED elements. Thisarrangement is also favorable in terms of temperature distribution,particularly when a lamp element of the second type is arranged in thelamp. In particular, this makes it possible to operate different lampelements at the same time with the temperature of the lamp element beingat most only slightly influenced by each other.

The base of an LED element is heated to a comparatively great extent. Inparticular in the case of a lamp element of the second type in the formof a compact fluorescent lamp, comparatively high temperatures likewiseresult in the region where this lamp element is connected to the base.Arranging the LED element or the LED elements in the region of the outeredge of the base and arranging the lamp element of the second typeapproximately centrally on the base of the lamp produces a maximumspacing between the region where the LED elements are arranged and theregion where the lamp element of the second type is connected. By meansof this large spacing, a maximum reduction can be achieved in the extentto which the lamp elements influence each other's temperature, makingparallel operation of the two lamp elements possible. Heat dissipationof the heat generated by the LED elements on the outer side of the basecan take place almost without the compact fluorescent lamp having adisruptive effect.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, the atleast one LED element is arranged on the at least one base close to theregion where the bulb element is fixed. This may result in the LED lightemitted by the at least one LED element being injected directly into thebulb element with virtually no losses.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, a lampelement of the second type is arranged in the physical volume. Thismakes possible the design in which the lamp has two lamp elements havinga different color temperature, as is described in DE 198 29 270 A1. Inparticular, it is possible to provide the LED elements as lamp elementsof the first type having a first color temperature, and to arrange atleast one lamp element of the second type having another colortemperature in the enveloped physical volume. In this case, it mayadvantageously be possible for the two lamp elements or groups of lampelements to be designed such that they can be dimmed and/or connected ordisconnected.

In particular, provision may be made for the lamp element of the secondtype to be in the form of an Hg fluorescent lamp. Combining such Hgfluorescent lamps with preferably two or more red LED elements in thiscase also makes it possible to generate white light having colortemperatures of less than 2,500 K, i.e. light such as is also generatedwhen a conventional incandescent lamp is dimmed.

Such Hg fluorescent lamps may have any desired shape and be in the formof a compact lamp or a linear lamp, for example. In particular, compactfluorescent lamps may be provided, whose discharge vessel comprises atleast one piece which is bent in particular in the form of a U, such as,for example, DULUX-T/E compact fluorescent lamps and DULUX-S/E lamps orDULUX L lamps by OSRAM.

According to a further refinement of the invention, two or more LEDelements are provided which are arranged on the base such that they aredistributed in the circumferential direction. This makes it possible toachieve high light output for the light emitted by the LED, since manyLED elements can be arranged such that they are comparatively tightlypacked together.

The number of LED elements is in practice only limited by the dimensionsof the base. However, by arranging two or more LED elements essentiallyin the form of a circular ring, a particularly dense arrangement can beselected, making it possible for a high luminous flux of LED light to beinjected into the bulb element.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, the LEDelements comprise different colors. Colored operation can be achieved inthis way, for example, by selectively dimming the LED elements.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, inaddition to the at least one LED element, lamp elements of the secondtype are provided which have essentially the same color temperature asthe LED element. Such a combination is expedient, for example, forgenerating an efficient emergency light or continuous light having a lowlight output, and, if necessary, for additionally connecting the lampelement of the second type, for example in the form of a compactfluorescent lamp, in order to generate a high luminous flux.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, thebulb element has an inner limit face which is adjacent to the physicalvolume and an outer limit face which is adjacent to the exterior, theinner and the outer limit faces being at least partially curved. Thisrefinement makes possible bulb elements having largely no edges, makingit possible, in principle, to create a uniform light exit surface forthe bulb element.

The LED light is passed on within the bulb element along the limit faceslargely owing to total reflection on the two limit faces. Light iscaused to emerge from the bulb element essentially owing toimperfections or owing to the surface being worked in a correspondingmanner, for example roughened, or owing to a special coating for thelimit faces. Providing the bulb element with a particular shape orforming or working the limit faces can ensure that imperfections aregenerated on the limit faces such that in each case some of the LEDlight passed on within the bulb element on its way through the bulbelement is diffused at the imperfections and emerges from the bulbelement, but the much more of the LED light is passed on within the bulbelement.

It could be envisaged, for example, to provide imperfections, whichincrease as they get further away from the LED element. Alternatively, acorresponding light distribution could also be achieved owing to thesurfaces of the outer limit face being worked to a differing extentdepending on the spacing from the LED element.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, adiffuser element is provided in addition to the bulb element. Thediffuser element may in this case likewise be in the form of a bulb andenvelop the bulb element, for example. Such a diffuser elementcontributes to further homogenizing the LED light.

According to an advantageous refinement of the invention, the bulbelement is solid and has an essentially constant wall thickness betweenthe inner and the outer limit faces. The imperfections may in this casebe arranged in the bulb element itself, for example by introducingspecific impurities, or by forming notches.

Alternatively, provision is made to vary the wall thickness of the bulbelement, in particular as a function of the spacing from the LEDelements.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, thebulb element is hollow overall, two separate structural elements formingthe inner limit face and the outer limit face, and total reflectiontaking place on the inner and on the outer limit faces. There may be avacuum or a gas filling between the two limit faces.

According to an advantageous refinement of the invention, the innerand/or outer limit face of the bulb element is provided with afluorescent layer which is stimulated by the LED light, in particular byLED radiation which is in the short-wave UV range.

According to a further advantageous refinement of the invention, thelamp has at least one base having a conventional physical shape, asdescribed in DE 198 29 270 A1. It is advantageous in particular whenconnecting the lamp according to the invention to conventionalluminaires.

According to an advantageous refinement of the invention, the bulbelement is made of plastic. This refinement makes it possible fordiffusers to be introduced into a plastic granulate composition, fromwhich the bulb element is produced. The bulb element which is inparticular manufactured as a plastic injection-molded part may thus beprovided with particularly homogeneously distributed diffusers. Theproduction complexity is in this case low. The diffusers may either beadmixed to the plastic granulate or be an integral part of thegranulate.

The diffusers may also be made of fluorescent material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic partially sectioned view of a first exemplaryembodiment of a lamp according to the invention having a conventional,bulb-shaped basic form,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic, broken-away sectional illustration of one endregion of a second exemplary embodiment of a lamp according to theinvention in the form of a lamp having a base at two ends having twotypes of lamp element,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a third exemplary embodiment ofthe invention in the form of a lamp which has a base at one end and hastwo types of lamp element, and

FIG. 4 shows an illustration according to FIG. 3 of a fourth exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a lamp given the overall reference 10, which has a bulbelement 11 having a conventional, bulb-shaped or drop-shaped basic form.The bulb element 11 is fixed to a base 12 which is in the form of ascrew base and which serves the purpose of mechanically holding, andacting as an electrical connection to, a luminaire-side fitting (notshown).

The bulb element 11 envelops a physical volume 14, which can be, forexample, evacuated or else, as an alternative, provided with a gasfilling. It is possible to arrange a lamp element of the second type inthe physical volume 14 or else outside the physical volume 14. Inprinciple, it is also possible for there to be a direct connectionbetween the physical volume 14 and the outside of the lamp 15, the bulbelement 11 and/or the base 12 having air passage openings.

In all of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, the bulbelement 11 is made of a light-conducting material, for example of glassor plastic. It has an inner limit face 16 and an outer limit face 17.The inner limit face 16 represents the side, which faces the bulbelement 11 of the limit layer between the bulb element 11 and the volumeelement 14, and the outer limit face 17 represents the side, which facesthe bulb element 11, of the limit layer between the bulb element 11 andthe exterior 15.

The bulb element 11 which in the exemplary embodiments is made of asolid material may alternatively also be made of two separate elements,such that the inner limit face 16 is provided by a first element, andthe outer limit face 17 is provided by a second element. An airless orgas-filled space can then be provided between the two limit faces, andthe diode light propagates through said space.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, only one LED element 13is illustrated in the region of the base 12, for the sake of clarity.Two or more LED elements 13 are preferably arranged around thelongitudinal axis L of the lamp 10 in the region of the base 12 which isessentially circular in cross section such that they are distributeduniformly around the circumference, resulting in the LED elements beingarranged essentially in the form of a circular ring.

According to FIG. 1, the LED element 13 irradiates the LED light, alongthe path of the arrow 18, directly from below into the edge region 28 ofthe bulb element 11. In the region of the irradiation, care must ofcourse be taken to ensure that as few irradiation losses occur here aspossible so as to provide maximum LED light 18 for uniform illuminationof the exterior 15 of the lamp.

The LED light propagates along the arrow path 18 in the bulb element 11.Total reflection at the inner and outer limit faces 16, 17 results. Thearrow path 18 is merely intended to illustrate schematically the path ofthe diode light. In fact, an almost infinitely large number of differentarrow paths 18 are superimposed on one another.

In the region 20 of the outer limit face 17, the outer limit face 17 isformed in a particular manner. For example, the surface of the outerside 23 may in this case be worked or the outer limit face 17 may have aparticular extent, resulting in this case in the LED light 18 emergingfrom the bulb element 11 into the exterior 15. This is illustrated bythe arrow 19. Alternatively, the outer side 23, rather than having itssurface worked, may also be provided with a special coating, for exampleeven with fluorescent materials which convert short-wave LED radiationinto visible LED light. Finally, it is also possible to produce acorresponding emergence of light owing to the bulb element 11 itselfbeing provided with a corresponding shape.

In a corresponding manner, the inner limit face 16, as is indicated byway of example by the region 22, may also be formed such that part ofthe LED light is in this case not subject to total reflection on theinner limit face 16 and is not passed on, but emerges from the bulbelement 11, for example along the arrow 21 indicated, into the exterior15.

The limit faces 16, 17 are in this case preferably formed over theirentire extent such that all of the LED light fed into the bulb element11 from all of the LED elements 13 emerges from the bulb element 11uniformly or at least largely uniformly. In this manner, the bulbelement 11 is perceived by a viewer as a largely homogeneous lightsource without it being possible to distinguish the individual LEDelements.

At this point, reference is in particular made to the fact that thedesign according to the invention of the limit faces 16, 17 can beachieved, for example, by special coatings, or else by working, forexample by roughening the material of the bulb element 11. The innerside 33, which faces the physical volume 14, of the bulb element 11 isaccessible from the physical volume 14, making it possible for theready-manufactured bulb element 11 to be worked further for the purposeof influencing the inner limit face 16. Even easier to work are theouter sides 23, which are completely freely accessible, of the outerlimit faces 17 which can likewise be coated or worked.

The above-described light emergence corresponding to arrows 19 and 21 isintended merely to schematically illustrate the optical path. In fact,the emergence of light from the bulb element 11 comes about in theregion of those regions 20, 22 in which imperfections in the limit faces16, 17 or imperfection-like inclusions in the bulb element 11 arepresent. In order to achieve a light distribution of the LED light 18which is as homogeneous as possible over the entire bulb 11, suchregions 20, 22 which contain imperfections are of course distributed notonly at certain locations over the bulb element 11, but cover the bulbelement 11 almost completely. Merely owing to the density of theimperfections or owing to their formation, it is possible to achieve alargely homogeneous light distribution of the LED light 18 over theentire extent of the bulb element 11.

Finally, it is also conceivable, although more complex, to achieve thedesired, uniform light radiation of the LED light 18 from the bulbelement 11 by providing the bulb element 11 with a particular shape. Forexample, the thickness d of the bulb element 11, i.e. the wall thicknessof the bulb element 11 or in other words the spacing between the innerlimit face 16 and the outer limit face 17, which is constant in theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, can be varied over the entireextent of the limit faces 16, 17.

FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a lamp 10 according to theinvention, which has a base at two ends. It thus has the shape ofconventional fluorescent lamps.

At this point reference is made to the fact that identical, comparableor corresponding elements in the different exemplary embodiments areprovided with the same reference numerals for better clarity.

FIG. 2 shows merely a broken-away illustration of an end region of thislamp 10 having a base 24 and corresponding connecting contact pins 25.An identical base 24 (not shown) is positioned, with respect to FIG. 2,at the opposite, right-hand end of the lamp 10.

The two bases 24 are connected to a bulb element 11, which is aconventional, hollow-cylindrical basic form having a circular crosssection. In the case of conventional fluorescent lamps, the known bulbelement is usually made of glass.

The base 24 has an associated incandescent filament 26. A fluorescentlayer 32 (which is not illustrated in any more detail) is in this casearranged on the inner side 33, which faces the interior 14, of the bulbelement 11.

The incandescent filament 26 having the corresponding connections, thegas 27 and the fluorescent layer 32 together form a lamp element 31 ofthe second type, which is described in more detail below. In the case ofsuch fluorescent lamps, the bulb element 11 usually acts merely as aprotective bulb or serves the purpose of containing the gas 27.

In the case of the lamp 10 according to the invention shown in FIG. 2,the bulb element 11 has, as in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1,an inner limit face 16 and an outer limit face 17. The bulb element 11is fixed directly to the base 24, resulting in a fixing region 28 whichis essentially in the form of a circular ring. In the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 2, a large number of LED elements 13 which areuniformly spaced apart from one another in a circumferential directionare in turn arranged on the base 24, close to the fixing region 28.According to FIG. 2, only two LED elements 13 are shown which feed theLED light along the arrow path 18 into the bulb element 11. Theterminals for the LED elements are not shown.

Within the bulb element 11, total reflection at two limit faces 16, 17in turn results, causing the LED light 18 to propagate along the entireextent of the bulb element 11.

In analogy to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, as shown by thearrows 19, 21, the LED light 18 emerges from the bulb element 11 intothe exterior 15, which is achieved by the limit faces 16, 17 having acorresponding formation. The working or coating or formation of the bulbelement 11 may be carried out for this purpose in the same mannerdescribed with respect to FIG. 1.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 thus has lamp elements of thefirst type, namely the group of LED elements 13. Furthermore, a lampelement 31 of the second type is provided which is at least very similarto a conventional fluorescent lamp.

The two different lamp elements 13 of the first type and lamp elements31 of the second type can advantageously be driven separately from oneanother.

For the case in which, as is provided in accordance with FIG. 2, thegroup of lamp elements 13 of the first type comprises two or moreindividual elements (LED elements 13), it may also be possible for theindividual elements to be driven separately from one another.

It is conceivable, for example, for it to be possible for individuallamp elements to be switched on or off during operation of therespective other lamp element or for at least one of the two lampelements of the different groups to be designed such that it can bedimmed. This makes possible, for example, an efficient emergency orcontinuous light from a lamp having a low output power, this light beingproduced exclusively by LED elements 13. On the other hand, this alsomakes it possible to alter the overall color temperature for thepurposes described in DE 198 29 270 A1.

At this point reference is made to the fact that it is of coursepossible for a lamp element 31 of the second type (not shown) to bearranged in the physical volume 14 of the first exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 1. In principle, the lamp element 31 of the second typemay in this case initially be any type. It may be, for example, acompact fluorescent lamp. Moreover mention is made of the fact that thebulb element 11 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2also takes on the function here of a fiberoptic conductor for the LEDlight 18 as well as the function of a protective bulb. In principle, aseparate diffuser element (which is not shown) may also be provided herewhich envelops the entire arrangement. Finally, it is also conceivablefor the two bulb elements to have a particularly concentric arrangement,with one bulb element forming the protective bulb and the other bulbelement serving the purpose of passing the LED light 18 on.

FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the lamp 10 according tothe invention having a bulb element 11 which is U-shaped in crosssection and is rotationally symmetrical with respect to its longitudinalaxis L. The lamp 10 shown in FIG. 3 in turn has a base 29 at only oneend. In this case too, the base 29 has corresponding connection elements30, which serve the purpose of making the mechanical and electricalcontact with a luminaire-side fitting (not shown). The embodimentsrepresented by FIGS. 1 and 2 in the same way relate to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 3.

In analogy to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, lamp elements 31of the second type are arranged in the physical volume 14 of the closedbulb element 11 which is fixedly connected to the base 29. LED elements13 are in turn arranged in the base 29 and are spaced apart from oneanother distributed in the circumferential direction. The LED elements13 and the two lamp elements 31 of the second type may, as in theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, have a different colortemperature. This advantageously makes it possible in the same way tosolve the object described in DE 198 29 270 A1 of creating a lamp havingtwo lamp elements having a different color temperature, it beingpossible for the overall color temperature of the lamp to be altered andfor the illumination level of the color temperature to be altered. TheLED elements 13 in the form of lamp elements of the first type and thelamp elements 31 of the second type which may be in the form of, forexample, a compact fluorescent lamp, or else in the form of ahigh-pressure discharge lamp, may, however, also have the same colortemperatures. At least one of the two groups of lamp elements or lampelements 31, 13 can preferably be dimmed and/or switched on or off.

The light propagation of the LED light 18 takes place in the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 3 in analogy to the above-described lightpropagation.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 differs from the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 3 essentially by the fact that, in this case,the bulb element 11 into which LED light is irradiated is arrangedcentrally between two lamp elements 31 of the second type. The dischargevessels 31 may in this case naturally have any desired shapes and maycomprise, for example, three or four limbs, such as in the case ofconventional compact lamps.

An outer element which jointly envelops the bulb 11 and the lampelements 31, which is in the form of the bulb element 11 in theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, may be dispensed with in theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4. However, a further, additionaldiffuser element (not shown in FIG. 4) may also be provided, forexample.

1. A lamp (10) having a base at one or both of its ends, a bulb element(11) which envelops a physical volume (14) being arranged on the atleast one base (12), and the lamp having at least one associated LEDelement (13), characterized in that the LED light is irradiated into thebulb element, and, owing to reflection at limit faces (16, 17) of thebulb element, the LED light is passed on within the bulb element.
 2. Thelamp as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a lamp element (31) ofthe second type is arranged within the physical volume (14) andsupported by the at least one base.
 3. The lamp as claimed in claim 2,characterized in that the lamp element (31) of the second type is in theform of a compact fluorescent lamp.
 4. The lamp as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that a lamp element (31) of the second type is providedwhich has the same color temperature as the LED element (13) and issupported by the at least one base.
 5. The lamp as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the limit faces (16, 17) are curved and havelargely no edges.
 6. The lamp as claimed in claim 1, characterized inthat the physical volume (14) is completely enclosed jointly by the bulbelement (11) and the at least one base (12).
 7. The lamp as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that at least one LED element (13) is arrangedin the at least one base (12) of the lamp.
 8. The lamp as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that the bulb element is connected to the atleast one base via a fixing region (28), and the at least one LEDelement is arranged close to the fixing region.
 9. The lamp as claimedin claim 1, characterized in that two or more LED elements (13) areprovided which are arranged in the region of the edge of the at leastone base.
 10. The lamp as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that twoor more LED elements (13) are provided which are arranged on the basesuch that they are distributed around the circumference of the base. 11.The lamp as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that two or more LEDelements (13) are provided which comprise different colors.
 12. The lampas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the limit faces comprise aninner limit face (16) which is adjacent to the physical volume (14) andan outer limit face (17) which is adjacent to the exterior, the innerand the outer limit faces being at least partially curved.
 13. The lampas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the LED light is passed onwithin the bulb element (11) along the limit faces (16, l7).
 14. Thelamp as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the bulb element (11)is essentially hollow, two separate structural elements forming theinner and the outer limit faces.
 15. The lamp as claimed in claim 12,characterized in that at least one of the inner limit face and the outerlimit face (16, 17) of the bulb element (11) is provided with afluorescent layer (32), which is stimulated by the LED light.
 16. Thelamp as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lamp (10) has atleast one base (12) having a conventional physical shape.
 17. The lampas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the bulb element (11) ismade of plastic.
 18. The lamp as claimed in claim 17, characterized inthat the bulb element is in the form of a plastic injection-molded part.19. The lamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LED light is passed onwithin the bulb element along the limit faces largely owing to totalreflection on the limit faces.
 20. The lamp as claimed in claim 15,wherein the fluorescent layer is stimulated by components of the LEDlight which are in the short-wave UV range.